The Minotaur Judge took the card, skimmed its content, and declared, "This is an S-rank Robbery Card, usable at any time. When activated, it allows the user to randomly seize two Item Cards from another player. If the target has only one card, only that card will be taken. Now, designate your target."
As the judge read aloud the card's devastating effects, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
"This card is utterly insane!"
"Man, using this card would drive anyone up the wall!"
"So dirty! Who came up with such a cruel mechanic?"
Player 26, the cocky blond-haired youth, was utterly dumbfounded. His mouth hung open, and his eyes went blank as he froze in place. He had never imagined that Player 6 would have access to such a game-breaking S-rank Item Card.
A few moments earlier, he had two Item Cards: one he'd already used to successfully challenge Jiang Yu, and another he had just received for winning the challenge. Now, his newly acquired card, still metaphorically warm from his grasp, was about to be snatched away.
Who could understand the agony of this situation?
The Minotaur Judge turned to Player 26 and extended a hand. "Player 26, Player 6 has used an S-rank Robbery Card on you. Please hand over all Item Cards in your possession."
Clenching his fists tightly, Player 26 glared at Jiang Yu. If he'd had a knife, he might have lunged at him right there. His face burned with fury, his chest heaved with anger, and he looked as if he might explode.
Grudgingly, he removed the two cards from his pocket and handed them to the judge.
The Minotaur received the cards and handed them to Jiang Yu. "The effect of the S-rank Item Card has been activated. These two Item Cards, previously belonging to Player 26, now belong to Player 6."
With a smirk, Jiang Yu took the cards and, holding them up for all to see, offered a mocking grin to Player 26. "Thanks for the gift. Good luck in the next round!"
The taunt hit its mark. The blond-haired youth shot up, fists trembling, and cursed loudly. "You bastard! Wait until it's your turn to fire—let's see if you shoot yourself dead, you wretched scum!"
Before he could act on his fury, the Minotaur Judge calmly raised his revolver and aimed it at Player 26. Immediately, the latter slumped back into his chair, silent but fuming.
The scene brought a peculiar sense of déjà vu to Jiang Yu. It reminded him of what had happened to Player 11 earlier in the game.
Sneaking a glance at the two cards he had taken, Jiang Yu couldn't help but chuckle. If these cards had remained in Player 26's hands, there was no telling how he might have used them to torment others. But no matter how carefully Player 26 had schemed, he had never accounted for the possibility of an S-rank Robbery Card.
The two cards were both B-rank.
[B-Rank Item Card: Double Fire]
Description: During your next turn, you may aim both shots at any other players. The points will still count as your own.
The usefulness of this card was self-evident. Jiang Yu could select two points on the dice, fire at other players, and claim the points without any risk to himself.
[B-Rank Item Card: Extra Bullet]
Description: Before the shooting phase, you may secretly add an additional bullet to any player's revolver.
This was an excellent tool for sabotaging others. By adding one more bullet to a chamber already holding ammunition, the chance of a misfire would skyrocket to one in three.
Jiang Yu decided to save the Extra Bullet card for the next round but resolved to use the Double Fire card immediately.
After confirming that there were no further objections, the Minotaur raised the Shooting Phase placard.
Player 8, the balding man, was up first. He only had to fire once this round, but his fear was palpable. Trembling, he held the revolver to his temple, hesitating for nearly ten seconds—any longer and his collar would explode. Finally, he pulled the trigger.
The resounding click of an empty chamber was a relief for all. The man exhaled heavily, his relief almost palpable, as he placed the gun back on the table. Applause and cheers erupted, a collective release of tension.
Next was Player 20, the dark-skinned middle-aged man. Without hesitation, he aimed at his head and fired a single shot. His composure was so unnerving that it made others question whether his revolver had been loaded at all.
Then came Player 34, the timid young boy. Hands shaking, he raised the gun and, after several seconds of hesitation, fired twice in rapid succession. His fear was so overwhelming that he placed the gun on the table as if it were scalding hot.
Finally, it was Jiang Yu's turn.
Without wasting a moment, he handed over the Double Fire card to the Minotaur Judge. "I'm using this," he said with calm confidence.
Player 26's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He could hardly believe it—the Double Fire card, which had been his moments ago, was now being used against him.
As the Judge read the card's effects, the remaining players stared in disbelief. Jiang Yu seemed to have an endless supply of powerful cards. Where did he even get them all?
"Player 6, you may now aim your revolver at your chosen target. Fire two consecutive shots," the Minotaur instructed.
Jiang Yu raised his gun, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. He first aimed at Player 8, letting the tension hang in the air before slowly shifting the barrel toward Player 26. "I'll target Player 26," he said evenly.
The blond-haired youth broke into a cold sweat, visibly trembling. It was one thing to aim the gun at his own head, but having someone else point it at him was a nightmare he couldn't bear.
Jiang Yu's smile turned into a smirk. "Funny thing, isn't it? Originally, my gun had no bullets. But thanks to your meddling, there's one in here now. If you die, you've got no one to blame but yourself. Karma's a cruel mistress, my little yellow-haired friend. Enjoy."
A look of horror dawned on Player 26's face as the realization hit him. If he hadn't challenged Jiang Yu earlier, there wouldn't have been a bullet in the chamber. If he hadn't succeeded, Jiang Yu wouldn't have gotten the Double Fire card.
It was a chain reaction—a butterfly effect of his own making.
Sometimes, life's ironies are the cruelest. Sitting frozen in his seat, he could only repeat a single thought in his mind: "You reap what you sow."